The first trailer of its kind also boasts the support of Werner Enterprises, K&B Transportation and Combined Transport — along with dealers Regional International, TEC Equipment and Wick’s Truck Trailers — to bring the trailer to the North American market.

Brent Yeagy, Wabash president and chief operating officer, says the launch program for the Cold Chain Series composite reefer continues to move forward as planned, with production and field testing set to begin in the first quarter next year.

“Refrigerated carriers see the superior performance benefits in our new molded structural composite technology,” he says. “Many carriers have been very interested in participating in the launch program so they can better understand the value of the performance benefits on their operations.”

Robert Lane, director of business development for Wabash National’s Commercial Trailer Products, says the company has spent the past eight months since the trailer’s concept launch in February in R&D undergoing further testing and qualifications and finalizing repair procedures.

Wabash National’s Cold Chain Series refrigerated van is made out of the company’s proprietary molded structural composite with thermal technology (MSCT), which improves thermal performance by up to 25 percent and is up to 20 percent lighter, while significantly improving puncture and damage resistance. In addition, the molded structural composite floor system promises higher floor ratings—up to 24,000 pounds.

Molded structural composites are used in a wide range of applications, including aerospace, automotive, marine and commercial construction. This is the first time the technology is being used in the trailer industry. Wabash National also utilizes this technology in its previously commercialized refrigerated truck body.

]]>http://www.successfuldealer.com/wabash-national-refrigerated-van-trailer/feed/0Trailer orders steady in October, ACT reportshttp://www.successfuldealer.com/trailer-orders-steady-in-october-act-reports/
http://www.successfuldealer.com/trailer-orders-steady-in-october-act-reports/#respondSun, 27 Nov 2016 15:21:00 +0000http://www.successfuldealer.com/?p=40339]]>Net trailer orders rebounded in October, settling in at about 21,050 units according to preliminary data from ACT Research. Octobers mark is about a 60 percent gain after a disappointing September.

Despite the October surge in orders, the 2016/2017 order season still trails last year’s pace, Maly says.

“October volume was approximately 37 percent behind the same month last year, and our analysis shows year-to-date orders off a similar percentage.” he adds. “It’s evident that fleets remain cautious regarding their purchase commitments, continuing to balance their cap-ex plans to current market conditions.”

FTR reports trailer backlogs in October dipped 3 percent and show signs of stabilizing soon. Trailer orders have totaled 213,000 units the last 12 months.

Based on order rate and declining backlogs, production is expected to fall moderately beginning this month, with FTR reporting October trailer build was down 5 percent month-over-month.

“The trailer market is coming back in sync with the Class 8 markets,” says Don Ake, FTR pice president of commercial vehicles. “Large fleets are ordering trailers for replacements in 2017, but not at the level of previous years. They also are not placing many orders for more than six months out.”

Ake says order rates in September and October indicate that trailer build will continue to fall at a moderate rate with November production likely to be somewhat weaker. December will be impacted by extended shutdown days around the holidays.

“January builds should increase, but are dependent on orders staying stable in November and December,” Ake says. “Backlogs are still at a reasonably good level, and it appears 2017 will resemble 2013 in many regards.”

Jim Meil, principal at ACT Research, says the cancelation wave amounted to 10.5 percent of the backlog of trucks that have been ordered but not yet built.

“Backlogs are an expression of confidence in future shipping demand,” Meil says, “so the dropped orders suggest there are more businesses, more customers out there who for one reason or another might have lost that faith. This is a high number by any benchmark.”

October’s cancellations reflect a decline in the trucking industry as a whole that dates back to late last year as carriers trim expansion and fleet replacement mid lackluster shipping demand and slipping freight rates.

Meil says it is unclear whether October’s cancelation numbers signal a broad deterioration in the market or that several large orders were canceled in the same month. Larger economic indicators didn’t change course heading into October, he adds.

“I don’t see anything different in terms of freight or an economic dynamic, but trucking manufactures do typically validate their backlogs in October, which may have shown things were a little bit shakier for some of that intended business than the manufacturers thought back in the summertime,” Meil says.

“Customers can choose to chat, text or call us about general inquiries, Peterbilt truck parts or even inventory, via whichever option works best for them,” he says. “As we said when we unveiled our new site design, our goal is to offer our customers innovative features that continually improve their experience with us.”

To ensure someone is always available to respond to customers’ commercial truck service requests, inquiries about specific Peterbilt listings and general questions, TLG dealers chose Contact At Once! mobile apps to connect on-the-go.

“If someone from one of our dealership teams isn’t available, messages roll over to trained professionals who can provide an instant connection for the customer and capture information for dealer follow up,” says Barbie Langston, TLG Corporate Marketing Manager. “The combination helps us ensure we have a consistent and positive experience whenever customers choose to connect.”

Originally certified Nov. 4, 2011, the Salem location has been certified six times and Portland, originally certified in Sept. 18, 2015, got its first recertification.

“Certification requires the dealership to pass 123 different Elite Support criteria,” notes McCoy Freightliner Marketing Director Eddie Tsygipalo. “Recertification focuses on continuous improvement throughout the dealerships, while maintaining the passing efforts of the Elite Support criteria.”

Recertification takes place annually to ensure dealers are focused on continuous improvement and the highest level of customer experience at Freightliner dealerships, and Tsygipalo says the dealership staff is reaping internal benefits as well.

“One of the biggest benefits the Elite Support program has brought to our dealership is bringing all the departments together as a team,” he says. “All departments now have a common goal within the dealership – be an Elite dealer at all times and deliver superior customer service.”

Overall cleanliness of the dealerships has also improved and processes have been documented and streamlined. Tsygipalo says customer satisfaction has increased, lot organization has improved and the program has led to an overall higher standard throughout the dealerships.

Eric Jorgensen, president and CEO of JX, says the revamped design improves the company’s first impression to potential customers.

“It is vital that our website is able to effectively broadcast who we are and the value JX brings to customers, as a leader in the transportation industry,” he says. “Our new website does just that. Plus, the new technology, and ongoing analytics gives us the ability to make improvements and changes in real time.”

On the site, customers can find the JX location nearest them, search truck inventory and view job opportunities. Visitors can also quickly learn more about the services JX offers, including parts sales, truck repair, financing and full-service lease and rental.

JX Marketing Manager Peter Gorman says the company focused a lot of attention on making sure customers can get to the information they need, when they need it and in as few clicks as possible.

“We really just brought the site back to the basics and focused on the user experience,” he says.

The responsive design allows users to instantly access the website on mobile, desktop, or tablet, which is perfect for people on the move. Users can access information 24/7 making it easy to submit inquiries for truck sales, parts, service, finance, and lease or rental, at home, or when they are on the road.

Another key initiative was creating video content to publish throughout the website and to share them across the company’s social media channels. One set of videos highlights why JX truly believes in each of the brands their dealerships carry.

A career page where visitors can learn about JX culture, career opportunities, and what it is like to work at JX

SEO upgrade generating better exposure on Google, Bing, and Yahoo

An online chat feature is expected to be released soon.

In addition, the company’s website now also offers online credit applications, so new customers can easily apply for credit. It also removes the hassle of printing and either faxing or mailing paperwork.

]]>http://www.successfuldealer.com/jx-enterprises-revamps-website/feed/0Paccar increases marketshare in third quarterhttp://www.successfuldealer.com/paccar-increases-marketshare-in-third-quarter/
http://www.successfuldealer.com/paccar-increases-marketshare-in-third-quarter/#commentsTue, 25 Oct 2016 19:00:27 +0000http://www.successfuldealer.com/?p=39901]]>Paccar reported earnings of $346.2 million Tuesday for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $431.2 million in the third quarter of 2015. Third quarter net sales and financial services revenues were $4.25 billion this year compared to $4.85 billion for the same period last year.

Peterbilt and Kenworth’s record third quarter U.S. and Canada Class 8 retail sales market share of 31 percent increased their year-to-date market share to 27.9 percent.

Class 8 truck industry retail sales for the U.S. and Canada are expected to be in a range of 215,000-225,000 vehicles in 2016 and Class 8 truck industry retail sales for the U.S. and Canada are estimated to be in the range of 200,000-230,000 vehicles in 2017.

Paccar Parts generated pre-tax profit of $138.3 million in the third quarter of 2016, compared to $145.4 million achieved in the third quarter of 2015. Third quarter 2016 revenues were $764.8 million, compared to $778.0 million earned in the third quarter last year. Paccar Parts achieved pre-tax profit of $406.3 million in the first nine months of 2016, compared to $430.0 million in the first nine months of 2015. Paccar Parts’ nine month revenues were $2.24 billion, compared to $2.31 billion for the same period last year.

]]>http://www.successfuldealer.com/paccar-increases-marketshare-in-third-quarter/feed/1Daimler takes a hit in Q3http://www.successfuldealer.com/daimler-takes-a-hit-in-q3/
http://www.successfuldealer.com/daimler-takes-a-hit-in-q3/#respondTue, 25 Oct 2016 18:55:38 +0000http://www.successfuldealer.com/?p=39899]]>Daimler Trucks sold 97,100 vehicles in the third quarter of this year compared to 128,500 globally for the same quarter last year.

In the company’s earnings report last week Daimler said the decrease is the result of lower demand for trucks in many of its key markets.

“In the NAFTA region, unit sales by Daimler Trucks decreased to 31,400 units in a declining market (compared to 52,200 during Q3 last year). At the same time, the division succeeded in further extending its market leadership in Classes 6-8, taking 39.3 percent of the market ( compared to 38.1 percent last year).”

The division’s revenue decreased from $10.53 billion to $8.53 billion. Negative effects on the division’s earnings primarily resulted from lower unit sales in the NAFTA region, Turkey and the Middle East, the company said.

Earnings were also reduced by intense competition in Europe. The realization of further efficiency improvements and exchange-rate effects had positive effects on earnings. EBIT also includes expenses for workforce adjustments in the context of ongoing optimization programs in Brazil.

Demand for medium- and heavy-duty trucks in the regions important for Daimler should be perceptibly below the prior-year volume, the company noted. A major negative factor is the expected significant market contraction in North America. In a comparatively weak overall investment environment, from today’s perspective, demand in the market for Classes 6­8 trucks can be expected to decrease by approximately 15 percent.

Thanks to strength in Daimler’s car and van business, Daimler sold 754,100 cars and commercial vehicles worldwide during Q3, more than ever before in a third quarter and surpassing the total for the prior-year period by 5 percent.

TLG Peterbilt originally customized the truck to call attention to the Pink in the Park cancer fundraiser held at Hammons Field in Springfield, Mo. last year. The event, which TLG helped sponsor, was organized by the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks (BCFO) in partnership with the Springfield Cardinals.

The breast cancer awareness truck has also been featured at other cancer fundraisers, including the Southwest Missouri Chapter’s Cattle Baron’s Ball, an annual event held in conjunction with the American Cancer Society.

As a full service leasingcompany for commercial truck fleets, TLG Peterbilt serves many cattle farmers, making the Cattle Baron’s Ball an excellent fit for the dealer group’s continued efforts against cancer.

“We are long-time supporters of the American Cancer Society,” said Langston, “and we’re thrilled that we have had the opportunity to serve as a major sponsor of the Cattle Baron’s Ball for several years now. The event is always a blast, and it goes a long way to fund crucial cancer research.”

The award-winning model 389 has been purchased by Sparks Transport, a Lyons, Ind.-based carrier, and they use it regularly to transport goods across the country.

“After seeing this truck in person and witnessing the impact it has on fundraising for breast cancer research, we knew it would make a special addition to our fleet,” Sparks Transport Vice President Brad McDonald says.

“We didn’t realize the magnitude of what it would evolve into,” adds Matt McDonald, Sparks Transport head of dispatch and maintenance. “After only three weeks, we have been getting calls from customers requesting service specifically from the pink Peterbilt 389.”

Terry Fish, who drives the truck for Sparks, says public feedback on the road has been just as positive.

“People are always taking pictures and giving me a thumbs up as I drive by,” he says. “This truck is quickly becoming an icon. It is an honor and privilege to drive the Optimus Prime of breast cancer.”

The truck has special meaning for Fish, whose father succumbed to cancer in 2009. In 2010, his aunt successfully fought breast cancer. Fish says his mother cried when she learned that Terry was driving this truck.

“The 389 is a head turner for a good cause, and it is stunning to see in person,” he says.

]]>http://www.successfuldealer.com/larson-group-custom-truck-raising-cancer-awareness/feed/1Volvo profits rise but volume dips in third quarterhttp://www.successfuldealer.com/volvo-profits-rise-but-volume-dips-in-third-quarter/
http://www.successfuldealer.com/volvo-profits-rise-but-volume-dips-in-third-quarter/#respondMon, 24 Oct 2016 17:00:48 +0000http://www.successfuldealer.com/?p=39880]]>Lower volumes in Volvo Group’s truck business fell in all markets except Europe in the third quarter of the year, but the company posted improved profitability Friday morning despite sluggish sales.

Global sales hit $7.7 billion for the third quarter.

“The decrease was primarily an effect of the slowdown in the North American truck market, which was partly counterbalanced by improving demand for the group’s products in Europe,” the company said in its earnings report, noting the need to take down North American dealer inventories.

The makers of Mack and Volvo branded trucks reported total deliveries of trucks decreased by 13 percent. The truck business continued to improve its profitability and the adjusted operating margin increased to 8.2 percent despite the lower volume.

Retail deliveries in North America fell 19 percent through September compared to 2015.

“Virtually the entire decline was registered in the highway tractor segments,” the company says. “It is expected that new retail truck deliveries for North America will finish at around 240,000 for 2016 and come down to 215,000 in 2017.”

In North America order intake declined 37 percent (6,764 units versus 10,745) compared to the same quarter last year and deliveries fell 46 percent in total, caused by dealers focusing on reducing inventories.

Production in the Group’s North American manufacturing system was lowered in the quarter and will be further reduced in the fourth quarter to allow for further inventory reduction at dealers, Volvo Group says.